PERSIAN ODYSSEY (NORTHBOUND)
MOSCOW - TEHRAN
TOUR DATES
17 APRIL – 4 MAY 2017
24 NOVEMBER – 11 DECEMBER 2017
DAY 1 TEHRAN
Upon arrival into Tehran you will be met and transferred to the five-star Espinas International Hotel
(or similar) for a two-night stay. On the first evening we will enjoy a welcome reception dinner,
whilst you meet your fellow travellers on this highly anticipated journey.
DAY 2 TEHRAN
Our first port of call on our city tour of Tehran is the Crown Jewels Museum in the Central Bank of
Iran Building, with its vast array of crown jewels used by the Qajar and Pahlavid royalty and the
legendary Peacock Throne. Also we visit the Golestan Palace with its renovated Versailles-inspired
mirror-encrusted Marble Throne Hall used for the coronation of the last Shah. Most of the remaining
brick and tile buildings date back to the 19th century Qajar dynasty.
DAY 3 TEHRAN
Late afternoon on Day 3 we transfer to the main railway station in the city and board the Golden
Eagle. Settle in to your cabin and later enjoy dinner as the train heads overnight to Sha'adat Shara
for our first stop at Persepolis.
DAY 4 PERSEPOLIS & SHIRAZ
Following breakfast on board we stop at Sadat Shaha, for the home of Persepolis, another World
Heritage Site. Perhaps Iran’s most important archaeological site, this ceremonial capital of the
Persian Empire dates back to the 6th century. Even now, the ruins are extremely impressive. We also
view the Necropolis (Naghshe Rustam). After lunch we continue by bus to Shiraz.
Shiraz has many strings to its bow: poetry, literature, wine, flowers and amazing gardens and fruit
trees. A visit to the Quran Gate, Hafez Tomb and the Vakil Citadel are the highlights of our afternoon
tour.
DAY 5 ISFAHAN
This enchanting city, which served as Persia’s capital from 1598 to 1722, is 2,500 years old and one
of the oldest in Iran. As a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy, Isfahan has a rich mix of
languages, religions and customs.
The city is famous for its silver filigree and metal work, array of great historical monuments, and its
Life-Giving River, the Zayandeh-Rood, which has given the city its beauty. Isfahan is packed with
some of Iran’s best sights and today we spend a whole day in the city, visiting the Chehel Sotoon
Palace and the Vank Church in the Armenian Quarter.
Following a traditional Iranian lunch we move on to Naghshe Jahan Square, a World Heritage Site
and the second largest man-made square in the world, where the Ali Qapou Palace and Shah and
Sheikh Lutfullah Mosques can be found. Here, the time is yours to enjoy the huge square and pick up
a bargain at the handicraft Bazaar of Qaisarieh.
DAY 6 YAZD
Yazd is thought to be one of the oldest cities in the world and a centre of Zoroastrianism, a
monotheistic faith founded in Iran 3,500 years ago. Our tour takes in the Zoroastrian Fire Temple,
Amir Chakhmagh Square and the 14th century Friday Mosque, home to one of Persia’s finest and
exquisite mosaics.
DAY 7 RAYEN & MAHAN
After breakfast we alight in Rayen. The 20,000 square metre Rayen castle is situated beneath the
snow-capped Mount Hezar in the Province of Kerman. A huge medieval mud brick citadel, it was
considered second only to Bam before the 2003 earthquake. Rayen displays all the architectural
elements of a deserted citadel (it was inhabited until 150 years ago) and is extremely well preserved.
It is considered one of the most interesting sites in Iran.
We continue by road to Mayan where we visit the 19th century Royal building, Prince Garden and
tomb. We later visit the sanctuary and tomb of the famous, Soufi, Shah Nematollah Vali, dating back
to the Mongol Era.
DAY 8 MASHHAD
An early morning arrival provides us with the whole day to explore the city of Mashhad, which is
home to the Imam Reza Holy Shrine, the largest mosque in the world in terms of its dimension,
followed by a tour of the Nader Shah Museum. Following lunch in the city, we will visit the Tomb of
Ferdowsi, the father of Persian Literature who lived over 1,000 years ago.
DAY 9 MERV
From Mary we transfer to the ancient and mainly unrestored remains of Merv. Once an important
stopping point on the Silk Road, it claims to have briefly been the largest city in the world during the
12th century. 1794 saw the demise of Merv, after the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the
population depended on for its water.
DAY 10 ASHGABAT & DARVAZA GAS CRATER
Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan is known as the ‘Las Vegas of the Kara Kum’. Situated between
the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, Ashgabat is a relatively modern city built
upon the ruins of the Silk Road city of Konjikala and the Soviet city built after the devastating
earthquake of 1948.
The city’s extravagant fountains, golden domes and towering modern buildings appear strangely
incongruous in this desert setting. Highlights on our visit include a visit to the National Museum and
Kipchak Mosque.
The Golden Eagle makes a brief scheduled stop at Ichoguz, where we have the option to leave the
train and make a short journey to Darvaza’s famous burning gas crater, a spectacular sight best seen
at night. Located in the middle of the Kara Kum desert where the area is rich in natural gas, the 70
metre-wide crater is known by the locals as the ‘Door to Hell’ and has been burning for over 40
years. A unique experience that is not to be missed.
DAY 11 KHIVA
From Urgench we travel to the ancient city of Khiva, founded 2,500 years ago. As one of the Silk
Road’s most important trading posts and now a World Heritage Site, it lies at the crossroads of the
routes between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia.
A truly magnificent sight to behold, it rises out of the desert to reveal a wealth of impressive
architecture. Stepping back in time, we discover its impressive mosques, madrassas, bazaars and
minarets within Khiva’s ancient walls.
DAY 12 BUKHARA
Bukhara is quite simply outstanding. Like Khiva, UNESCO sponsored the renovation of much of the
city for its 2,500th anniversary in 1999. The highlight of this wonderful tour is a visit to The Ark, a
fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara – the despotic and ruthless leaders who ruled until Soviet
times.
We then travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchantingly named, Palace of the Moon and
Stars. This evening, weather and time permitting, we will enjoy a barbecue on the station platform
before our train departs.
DAY 13 SAMARKAND
Just the mention of Samarkand instantly conjures up evocative images of the Silk Road, more so than
any other town. Founded in the 6th century BC, Samarkand’s stunning architecture hints at its
former status as one of the most important cities in Asia and is particularly noted for its architectural
remains from the 14th to the 17th century, when it flourished as the fabled capital of the Mongol
empire of Timur and his successors.
Today we will visit some of its most significant sites including Registan Square, the refined elegance
of the beautifully proportioned Bibi Khanum Mosque and the Ulag Beg observatory, one of the
earliest Islamic astronomical observatories built in 1428. Before dinner we will return to the now
illuminated and awe-inspiring Registan Square.
DAY 14 TASHKENT
Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and we spend time touring this modern Soviet-style city
which was rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1966. Our tour of the city includes the Old
Town, where traditional homes and religious buildings line the narrow streets and here in a small
library we’ll be privileged to see one of Islam’s most sacred relics – the world’s oldest Koran. This is
followed by a visit to the Railway Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts.
DAY 15 BAIKONUR
Baikonur, formerly known as Leninsk, is situated on the right bank of the Syr Darya River and was
constructed to service the Baikonur Cosmodrome which itself was originally constructed by the
Soviet Union in the late 1950s as the base of operations for its space programme. This is a place
filled with so much history from the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 and the launch of the first human,
Yuri Gagarin, into space in 1961 to the current day missions to re-supply the International Space
Station. On our visit to Baikonur we will visit the launch station of Yuri Gagarin’s mission into space.
DAY 16 KARA KUM DESERT
Today, we enjoy a relaxing day on board as we travel across the vast expanses of the Kara Kum
desert. As well as experiencing the unique landscape, you can take the opportunity to chat to fellow
passengers and maybe take part in a Russian language lesson.
DAY 17 MOSCOW
Our touring programme of Moscow principally takes us to the grandeur of the Kremlin – the
spiritual, historical and political heart of Moscow – and to see the treasures of the Tsars in the
Armoury Chamber. We also visit Red Square, an iconic symbol of Russia’s former military and
political might with its eclectic mix of fascinating architecture, such as the ornate St Basil’s
Cathedral’s magnificent onion-domed spires, the beautiful facade of the world famous GUM
department store, constructed in Tsarist times, and the sombre and evocative site of Lenin’s tomb.
DAY 18 MOSCOW
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be transferred to Moscow Airport for your onward flight.
Why not extend your stay in Moscow with additional nights to explore more of the city at your
leisure or have time to take in a performance at the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre? Tickets need
to be pre-booked and are subject to schedule and availability.